Women In Construction: Supporting Apprentices

A young woman in construction using a Makita nail gun on a building site

Small business owner Beth Moresi talks about supporting female apprentices and women in construction.

A company with an inclusive culture that supported women in premium project construction is the sort Beth Moresi wanted to work for. When she couldn’t find that combo, she decided to build it herself.

“It was important to me to create the culture that I wanted to work in and an environment other people would want to work in, as well,” Beth says about her enterprise, Beth Builds. “As my business has grown, it’s like other companies, consultants and architects sense the nice culture and want to work with us.”

Starting a new career in construction

Originally, a career in trades was never on Beth’s radar – she didn’t see enough women in construction to consider it a viable profession. “I didn’t think it was a thing that was done. ‘If you can see it, you can be it’ and I didn’t really see any other women doing it,” she says.

It was only after Beth had been working in retail for a while – and hating it – that she began to seriously consider getting a trade in construction. Carpentry was calling. “My parents suggested I give it a try because I’d always joked that I’d like to do it,” she says. “So, I gave it a shot.”

Dealing with workplace discrimination

Beth was the only woman in her trade school class – and one of very few female apprentices on job sites – and she faced bullying and stereotyping. “I wanted to quit a million times, but after the first 12 months I set myself a goal to do another 12 months,” Beth says. “I got to the end of that 12 months and thought, ‘This is actually not too bad’. I was 22 then and here I am 11 years later, loving it.”

A young woman in construction wearing a full tool belt and a man wearing a Beth Builds t-shirt, both seen from behind

Building a construction business

Straight out of trade school, Beth started with subcontracting on jobsites, as well as working for her dad, Greg, in his building business. Initially, they worked together on the jobs Greg brought in, but over time their roles shifted.

“I started getting all the clients and it just made sense that I opened my own business,” Beth says. Beth’s dad agrees the shift over to Beth Builds happened pretty seamlessly. “The type of work I’d done over the years was not fancy architect stuff, and Beth wasn’t attracted to that stuff. She wanted to move into more trendy jobs,” Greg says. “So, I said, ‘Go and find the work’ and it was just a natural progression.

” The restructure allowed both Beth and Greg to focus on the areas of the business they love. “We complement each other’s strengths,” Beth says. “I wouldn’t be able to take on some of the things I take on without having his extra advice, and he wouldn’t want to take on all the paperwork and the client liaising.”

Growing a business through social media

Beth has also expanded the company through a strategic use of social media and networking, something else Greg isn’t interested in. “He’s old-school and likes being on the tools the whole time,” she shares.

One of Beth’s main online platforms for getting new work, especially in the beginning, has been Instagram. “I’m a massive believer in community and networking, so I’ve leveraged my Instagram in order to network,” Beth says. “I’ve used it as a way of contacting like-minded industry experts that I wanted to work with. I reach out and say, ‘Hey, I love the work that you’re producing as an architect and the ethos behind what you’re up to. I’d love to work on one of your projects’.”

Once Beth has a connection with those experts, she keeps in contact over Instagram, being “chatty” and commenting on their posts. It’s a strategy that has led to numerous new projects and helped Beth to grow her business.

Two young women in construction cladding the side of a house with nail guns

Feeling supported at work

For Beth Builds’ apprentice Ruby Robinson, finding a supportive workplace has been a game-changer in her career development. “I did a few career counselling sessions, and I remember saying I’d love to do carpentry, but I’m just not sure if I’m cutthroat enough for the industry, obviously, because it’s quite intimidating,” Ruby says.

“Being able to work with another woman though was a huge incentive for me. The atmosphere within this group feels really comfortable and relaxed, and if I ever make a mistake Beth says, ‘It’s alright, you’re always learning, let’s keep going’. We’re all really tight-knit – it’s almost like my own little family at work.”

Team of six people, four young women in construction and two older men, on a building site]

Female apprentices at the top of their game

With nominations for the third annual Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Awards coming up, we check in with three of the past winners.

Jade McJannett

Won: 2024

Trade: Carpentry

Company: High Quality Finish Building

"(Winning the award) gave me a lot more freedom on jobs because it meant I could buy tools and have everything of my own. Now, I’m not using the boys’ tools anymore. When I first started my apprenticeship, I was really excited to get renovation skills so that I could one day buy a house and renovate it.”

Kirsten Macquet

Won: 2023

Trade: Landscaping

Company: Landscaping Lass

“The key driver has been the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Mentoring Program [part of the prize package]. I now have a huge support network of women in construction. I’ve also started my own business, Landscaping Lass.”

Erikah Konig

Won: 2023

Trade: Automotive mechanic

Company: Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage

“I’m learning more every day. It’s been good to expand my skills and broaden my knowledge, and I made an internal move from the Light Vehicle department to the Heavy Vehicle and Plant workshops. I’m growing in that confidence. Changing things up has shown me that I’m definitely capable of taking on new tasks.”